Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast
Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast
Alycia Asai
Selling Out Santa: A Deep Dive into Post-War Cinema with Dr. Vaughn Joy
49 minutes Posted Feb 17, 2026 at 10:00 am.
0:00
49:57
Download MP3
Show notes
Join me as I welcome historian and media literacy expert Dr. Vaughn Joy to discuss her book Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy. The book explores the evolution of Christmas films during the post-war era, paying close attention to the years 1945-1961. Join us as we explore the significance of Christmas as a cultural lens, the impact of the HUAC investigations on Hollywood storytelling, and the contrast in career trajectories of two iconic directors Frank Capra ...